Daily News Summary

An electronic digest of media coverage of interest to members of The Florida Bar compiled each workday by the Public Information and Bar Services Department. Electronic links are only active in today's edition. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.

'MERITOCRACY AND DIVERSITY' ARE KEY TO JUDICIAL LEGITIMACY -- The Florida Bar News, http://www.floridabar.org, June 15, 2014.The Florida Bar Board of Governors has unanimously approved the report and recommendations of the President’s Special Task Force to Study Enhancement of Diversity in the Judiciary and the Judicial Nominating Commissions. The report presents 10 recommendations to increase diversity among JNC members and appointed judges.Pettis appointed the task force earlier this year after a review showed declining diversity both on the bench and the JNCs. Frank Scruggs, task force chair, presented the report and recommendations to the board on May 23 in St. Augustine.The first recommendation encourages Gov. Rick Scott to fill the 78 vacancies on JNCs next month with diverse appointments. The second recommendation calls for the Bar to work with the governor to let JNC appointees know that diversity matters. Additionally, the report urges the governor not to reject slates of nominees the Bar recommends from its rigorous review and selection process.

FOUNDATION ASSISTANCE PLAN IS NOW SET FOR JULY -- The Florida Bar News, http://www.floridabar.org, June 15, 2014.The Bar Board of Governors reaffirmed its support for a $6 million loan to the financially strapped Florida Bar Foundation, but it will be the July meeting before the board receives the final details for approval.Bar Foundation President John Pattersonpresented to the board at its May meeting a history of the Foundation’s income from the IOTA program, its efforts to build reserves, and how the recession drained reserves.Bar President Eugene Pettis noted that he approached the Foundation, not vice versa, with the idea of a loan. That discussion came in the wake of the member petition to add up to $100 to annual Bar membership fees with the extra money going to the Foundation.

--Judiciary--

CERABINO: JURORS: NO FACEBOOKING OR FACE BEING BOOKED - FOR REAL -- Palm Beach Post, Column, http://www.palmbeachpost.com, June 10, 2014.Columnist Frank Cerabino addresses prospective jurors. "Please be advised that if you are selected to serve on this case, you will be asked to refrain from relaying your thoughts and feelings about the trial to all of your Facebook friends, Twitter followers and LinkedIn connections . . . The jury system is the foundation to our idea of a fair trial. That means that you, as jurors, have to play the part. We need to believe that you are fair, thoughtful, intelligent and focused on the matters presented to you. Help us to believe this. Don’t leave a digital evidence trail that exposes just how much wishful thinking is involved in this crucial, fragile and sometimes foolish belief."

--Criminal Justice Issues--

EX-PARTNER OF FLA. PONZI SCHEMER TO PLEAD GUILTY -- Miami Herald, http://www.miamiherald.com, June 11, 2014.By The Associated Press. Stuart Rosenfeldt, a former partner of convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein in the now-defunct South Florida law firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, is set to plead guilty to conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke set a change of plea hearing for Rosenfeldt on Wednesday [June 11]. He had previously pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say Rosenfeldt was involved in campaign finance violations and financial irregularities at the Fort Lauderdale law firm. The charges are not directly linked to Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, which involved investments in fake legal settlements. The third partner, Russell Adler, previously pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.